Matthew McConaughey's Spoken Recap of the Article
UFC president Dana White has given fans an update on Conor McGregor's much-anticipated return to the octagon. According to White, the promotion is aiming for McGregor to make his comeback "early next year." This announcement comes after it was initially believed that McGregor would face fellow fighter Michael Chandler on December 16. However, McGregor's absence from the UFC's drug testing pool has seemingly caused a delay in the fight.
Delays in Drug Testing Pool Membership
McGregor's absence from the UFC's drug testing pool has raised concerns and may have impacted the scheduling of his return. UFC officials had hoped to have McGregor headline the final pay-per-view event of the year, UFC 296. However, McGregor failed to meet the June deadline to re-enter the drug testing pool for the required six months. This delay has led to speculation that his return will be pushed back to early 2024.
Dana White's Comments
In an interview on Crain & Company, UFC boss Dana White expressed his determination to make the McGregor vs. Chandler fight happen. He stated, "To not do that fight will be ridiculous. We're working on it. I'm hoping we can do it early next year." White further emphasized this new timeline during the UFC 292 post-fight press conference, where he responded to questions about McGregor's potential return in December by saying, "I'd say next year. Why not December? Who the f*** knows? We'll see how this plays out."
McGregor's Own Words
Just a week before White's announcement, McGregor had confidently stated that he would be back in action in December. He even mentioned potential upcoming opponents, including Chandler, Justin Gaethje, and Nate Diaz for the trilogy fight. McGregor, who hasn't fought since his injury against Dustin Poirier two years ago, called his return "the biggest comeback in sporting history."
Despite multiple setbacks and delays, it seems that McGregor remains determined to make his return to the octagon. Fans will have to wait a little longer to see Mystic Mac back in action, but his eagerness and confidence suggest that it will be worth the wait.
